Ii6 



IRRIGATION FARMING. 



The cement pipes being softer and more porous than 

 the vitrified are more subje<5l to these troubles, and 

 consequently their cost of maintenance is much greater. 

 An average cement pipe will last not to exceed eight 

 years, but the vitrified kind will last a lifetime, and is 

 certainly much cheaper in the end. 



The Asbestine System. — This is a method of 

 piping devised by a California man named E. M. 

 Hamilton, and is used exclusively in sub-irrigation. 



It consists of a 

 continuous pipe 

 made of a combi- 

 nation of Portland 

 cement, lime, sand 

 and gravel, laid at 

 a depth of two feet 

 or so below the 

 surface of the 

 ground, parallel to 

 the rows of trees or vines in an orchard or vineyard. 

 In these pipes on the upper side is inserted a nipple 

 opposite each tree or vine, one-eighth of an inch or 

 so in diameter, through which the water finds exit. 

 Each plug is surrounded by a length of larger stand- 

 pipe setting loosely on top of the distributing pipe, 

 open at the bottom and reaching to the surface of the 

 ground, for the purpose of keeping the dirt away 

 from the outlet and rendering it accessible at all 

 times for inspedlion. The pipes are connedled with 

 mains leading from a reservoir. The water finds its 

 way through all the outlets, filling the stand-pipes and 

 slowly percolating to the roots of the plants. The 



FIG. 25 — ASBESTINE PIPE MACHINE. 



